Kovalchuk's Devils Legacy Examined | New Jersey Devils News

New Jersey Devils News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 28, 2026 · 1m

Ilya Kovalchuk was a scoring machine for the Devils, nearly a point per game early on and leading the team in goals and points during his prime — enough to earn him a massive 15-year, $100M contract. He kept delivering elite production, helping the Devils return to the playoffs. But after a stint in Russia during a lockout, he chose to stay overseas, leaving 12 years on his deal and sparking fan outrage. While his flashes of brilliance were undeniable, his overall impact doesn’t crack the top tier of Devils’ all-time greats — his stats pale compared to legends like Patrik Elias or even…